This inaugural Greenville to Brownville 100-mile race will be a challenge for musher and dogs alike and has been dubbed the "Prelim to the Can Am Crown." The Can Am Crown Races will be held three weeks later in Fort Kent.

Contestants in the 100-mile race will begin on Moosehead Lake at 9 AM on Saturday, February 12th, 2005. The 100-mile race mushers will travel through the “100-mile wilderness” on an “out and back” trail. At the turnaround on Railroad Avenue in Brownville Junction, mushers will rest themselves and dogs for a minimum of two hours. The race, this year, is limited to 30 teams. Viewing points will be at the Starting point, on the county road near Katahdin Iron Works, and at the Brownville layover on Railroad Avenue.

The race is a collaborative effort of the Towns of Greenville and Brownville along with the Moosehead Riders and Brownville Snowmobile Clubs and many land owners. This race starts what is a larger two-week long SnoFest in Greenville.

Greenville's SnoFest is a “celebration of winter sports”, showcasing and offering chances for the public to participate in both motorized and non-motorized activities. Greenville is working with several local organizations and landowners – including the Appalachian Mountain Club and Plum Creek Timber Company - to promote and expand winter sports in the region.

Goals for this year's race are to get community members involved, both as volunteers and spectators and to have a fun and safe race for dogs and mushers. The Town of Greenville is actively looking for sponsors and the race purse is yet to be determined.

Behind the scenes, a group of dedicated individuals from throughout Piscataquis County have been working on the race since June 2004. The Appalachian Mountain Club has been a big supporter of this effort from the start of this process.

For race rules and more information, go to the Three Rivers Community Web Site: http://www.trcmaine.org/sledrace/, or the Town of Greenville's website: www.GreenvilleME.com.

For more information, contact Amy Dugan at info@mtnridge.com or Terry Knowles at mawtrk@midmaine.com, or contact the Towns of Brownville or Greenville, or the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce. Late fees have been waived this year – there is still time to register, but hurry as the race field is capped at 30 teams.